Last modified on Tue 16 Mar 2021 06.04 EDT
RSL and leagues clubs in New South Wales have broken ranks with their peak industry body to negotiate a trial of an alternative to the state government’s proposed mandatory gaming card as critics warn a badly designed system could be a “disaster”.
The push by the RSL and Services Clubs Association and Leagues Clubs Australia – which are separate from the powerful ClubsNSW – would see a trial of cashless technology in several of the state’s largest clubs to tackle problem gambling and money laundering.
Gambling reform advocates say going cashless could be transformative even if it’s not via a compulsory gambling card. But they’ve questioned the minimum five-year timeframe suggested by the RSL and leagues clubs.